Prince Harry is getting ready for another Invictus Games!
The Duke of Sussex, 40, will host the 2025 games in Vancouver and Whistler, Canada, from Saturday, February 8, until Sunday, February 16.
The competition for injured, wounded, or sick servicemen and women was founded by Harry in 2014 and was inspired by his decade-long experience in the armed forces.
“It is very important to him as a soldier, it’s very important to him as a person,” Dominic Reid, CEO of the Invictus Games Foundation, said in an interview with People on Wednesday, February 5.
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“We all get something from it for our own reasons,” Reid said. “But he has created extraordinary opportunities to an extraordinary number of people. They feel seen and heard and cared about.”
Keep scrolling to learn more about the 2025 tournament.
Opening and Closing Ceremonies
The Invictus Games 2025 will kick off with an opening ceremony on Saturday, February 8, at BC Place Stadium in Vancouver, British Columbia, at 1:00 p.m. PT.
The ceremony will feature performances from Katy Perry, Noah Kahan, Nelly Furtado, and Roxane Bruneau.
The closing ceremony will take place on Sunday, February 16, at Rogers Arena in Vancouver and will feature performances from Jelly Roll, Barenaked Ladies, and The War and Treaty.
Speaking to People in November 2024, Robyn McVicker, Chief Operating Officer of the Invictus Games, said Harry had “input” in the headlining acts.
“We’ve been thrilled to be able to work with him on the approach to the [ceremonies]. We’ve kept him posted about shortlists and what we’re talking about. He’s had input,” McVicker said.
What Sports Are Included?
Around 550 athletes from 25 nations are expected to compete in the Invictus Games.
The games will feature a variety of sports across multiple locations, including wheelchair curling, wheelchair basketball, alpine skiing, sitting volleyball, and indoor rowing.
To read the full itinerary, visit the Invictus Games 2025 website.
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Most of the sporting events will be similar to what we have seen at previous games, with a couple of tweaks and additions. One notable change was the decision to replace rifles with lasers at the biathlon event.
A spokesperson for the Invictus Games told the Daily Mail in January: “The principal reason for the lasers is inclusivity.”
“[They] can be used by a wide range of those with disabilities,” they added.
Royal Guests
Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, is expected to attend some of this year’s events, though it has not been officially confirmed. Daily Mail reports that the royal is traveling with Harry from their home in Montecito, California, to Vancouver on Friday, February 7.
Multiple outlets, including the Daily Mail, reported that Prince Joachim and Princess Marie of Denmark are expected to attend the closing ceremony.
It’s not unusual for the games to have high-profile guests. Harry welcomed former U.S. presidents Joe Biden and Barack Obama at the 2017 games.
How to Watch
The Invictus Games will be broadcast live from the organization’s official website and YouTube channel.
It will also be available to watch through multiple broadcasters around the world, including TSN in Canada, ITV in the U.K., Sport En France in France, and SPORTDIGITAL in Germany.
